Grand Morocco and Sahara Desert 6 Nights - THY Departure on November 16 (Special November Break)

Meeting at the Turkish Airlines counter in Istanbul Airport's international departures terminal 3 hours before departure. After baggage and ticket procedures, we depart for Casablanca on Turkish Airlines flight TK 617 at 11:50. Upon arrival in Casablanca at 14:50 local time, our city tour of Marrakech begins with our vehicle waiting for us in the area. After arriving in Marrakech, we begin to explore this city whose narrow streets will take you back centuries; its name comes from the word "mur akush," meaning "Land of God" in the language of the Berbers, North Africa's oldest indigenous people. Marrakech, one of the country's most important tourist centers, is also known as the "Red City" due to its famous red walls. During our city tour, we will visit places such as the Bahia Palace, which offers a wonderful impression of what it was like to be an aristocrat in 19th-century Morocco; the Koutoubia Minaret, one of the city's most important symbols; the Majorelle Gardens, home to plant collections from all over the world; and Djemaa El Fna square, known as the "Heart of Souks and Miracles." After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and have free time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
 

After the breakfast served at the hotel, we join the UNESCO World Heritage Grand Essaouira Tour. Essaouira, which has hosted civilizations since ancient times along its coast, is known for its white-walled old city medina (city center), narrow streets, and traditional markets located on the Atlantic Ocean coast. The city center, listed by UNESCO as a ‘‘World Heritage’’ site, is a tranquil coastal town where art and culture intertwine, in addition to being a fishing port. A very calm atmosphere prevails here compared to Marrakech, offering visitors a relaxing escape. Over the years, this atmosphere has attracted many world-famous artists such as Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, and Orson Welles, turning the city into a center of art and culture. The town also recently served as a filming location for the famous Game Of Thrones series. During our tour, we will visit the walls of Essaouira, the Essaouira Fortress, the Essaouira Port where the fish market is located, and the world-renowned Medina.  While exploring Essaouira, with its elegance of traditional Moroccan architecture blended with traces of modern life, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy shopping. After the tour, we return to our hotel in Marrakech. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
 

After the breakfast served at the hotel, we head to Ouarzazate. Our first stop along the way will be the film studios and Ait Ben Hadou. Here, you will see the film studios where The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander the Great, and the television phenomenon Game of Thrones were filmed, before proceeding to Ait Ben Haddou, a historic village famous for its traditional earthen architecture. Located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains on an old Saharan caravan route, this impressive settlement offers visitors a sense of time travel with its high mud-brick walls, corner towers, and narrow streets. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Aït Ben Haddou provides incredible photo opportunities, especially when its structures take on reddish hues at sunset. Our tour's final stop is our hotel in Ouarzazate, a city that has hosted numerous Hollywood films and artists, where we will have free time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
 

After having breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards the Sahara Desert. With a view of the desert on one side and the Atlas Mountains on the other, our first stops will be Todra Valley and M’gouna (City of Roses). Then we head to our hotel in Merzouga (Sahara Desert). Upon arrival, we settle into our rooms and enjoy the desert. Do not forget to photograph the night sky in the darkness of the desert and the morning sunrise. Overnight stay at our camp in the desert.
 

After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we move towards Fes. Located at an altitude of 1,700 meters and known for its orderly urban planning, Ifrane is referred to as "Switzerland of Morocco" due to its clean air, wide avenues, and mountain-style architecture with sloping roofs. Following the tradition of naming countries after their capitals, as seen in Tunisia and Algeria, Morocco derives its name from the city of Fes. The walled city, built around the Fez River flowing from west to east, is also known as "The Mecca of the West."  Fes city center is listed as a World Heritage Site and is one of the largest and oldest urban pedestrian areas in the world.  During our old town tour, we will visit the unique examples of Islamic architecture, Bou Inania and Al Attarine Madrasas, the Andalusian Mosque, Karaouine University (one of the world's oldest higher education institutions), Nejjarine Square, and the artisans' souk. In the tanneries where leather is processed in the Medina, techniques unchanged since the Middle Ages are still used. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel. 
 

After the breakfast served at the hotel, we join the 'Magnificent City Blue Safi' tour. This enchanting town, located in northwestern Morocco at the foot of the Rif Mountains, is famous for its blue-painted buildings and is also known as the "Blue City". Every corner and street of Chefchaouen is painted in different shades of blue; besides its natural beauty, it attracts visitors with its unique atmosphere. While wandering through the city's narrow streets, you can explore traditional markets, handicraft shops, and local restaurants. The city also bears traces of local culture and lifestyle; the local people, who keep the Berber tradition alive, offer a warm welcome to visitors. Chefchaouen's unique blue atmosphere and natural beauties have made this city one of Morocco's most attractive and unforgettable destinations. After our tour, we set off towards Meknes. Located between the coastal plains and the peaks of the Atlas Mountains, the city has been a commercial and cultural crossroads since ancient times. "The City of a Hundred Minarets," Meknes houses many structures. During our city tour in Meknes, which holds the distinction of being one of the country's four royal cities, we will visit some of its most important symbols: the striking Bab Mansour gate with its Moorish architectural style, the Agdal Reservoir built by Moulay Ismail, the Lahdim Square, and Dar El Makhzen (the Royal Palace). After the tour, we head towards the magnificent capital Rabat. Upon arrival, during our panoramic city tour, we will see the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V (built in memory of the current king's grandfather, a pioneer of Morocco's independence), and the Royal Palace. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Casablanca. Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.
 

After the breakfast served at the hotel and check-out procedures, our Casablanca city tour begins. As Morocco's main port, Casablanca is famous for the 1942 Hollywood film named after the city. In addition to being the country's economic center, it is also the most densely populated city. While strolling through its streets, you can observe Islamic, French, and Berber influences reflecting its rich cultural heritage. Highlights of our visit include Mohammed V Square, the heart of Casablanca; United Nations Square, where Morocco's past and present are wonderfully blended; Hassan II Mosque (exterior view), renowned for its grand architecture and the second tallest minaret in the world; the Old Medina; the Hobus district, famous for its open-air markets; Ain Diab beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean coast; and Corniche. After the tour, we will depart for the airport at the time announced by our guide. Following baggage and ticket procedures, we will fly with Turkish Airlines flight TK 618 departing at 16:45 to Istanbul, arriving at 23:25 local time, concluding our tour.